Monday, January 26, 2004
ESPN.com news services
ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Norv Turner was hired as the Oakland Raiders' head coach Monday, taking over a team that went from the Super Bowl to 4-12 in just a year.
Turner, 51, will receive a multi-year contract, SI.com is reporting, though terms were not immediately available. The Raiders have called a 5 p.m. ET news conference to introduce him as the 14th head coach in a franchise lineage that includes John Madden, two-time Super Bowl winner Tom Flores and owner Al Davis, who coached the team from 1963-65.
Turner leaves Miami after only two seasons as coach Dave Wannstedt's offensive coordinator. Turner flew to Oakland on Thursday to meet with Raiders owner Al Davis and their discussions continued through the weekend. Contrary to published reports, Turner did not return home; he remained in California awaiting an offer from Davis.
In hiring Turner, the Raiders concluded a lengthy and sometimes convoluted search for a successor to Bill Callahan. Just last Tuesday, Dallas Cowboys assistant head coach Sean Payton agreed in principle to be Oakland's head coach, and then changed his mind a day later.
Callahan has since been hired as Nebraska's head coach.
Davis interviewed Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Al Saunders by phone early in the search process. He then met with Dennis Green, who accepted the same job with the Arizona Cardinals; San Francisco offensive coordinator Greg Knapp, who went to the Atlanta Falcons in the same capacity; and Payton. Another potential candidate, Steelers offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey, turned down an interview request, and then was hired as Buffalo Bills coach.
It was generally believed, after the deal with Payton collapsed, that Davis would wait until after Super Bowl XXXVIII to interview the New England's two coordinators, Romeo Crennel (defense) and Charlie Weis (offense). But his meetings with Turner went well and Turner apparently agreed to accept some of the conditions that Davis had laid out for other candidates.
Davis said at a news conference last week that he will take a more personal hand in player discipline. Davis also wanted the other candidates to retain many of Callahan's assistants who are still under contract.
This marks only the second time that Davis has hired a coach with previous NFL head coaching experience. The only other time was in 1997, when he brought aboard Joe Bugel, the former Arizona Cardinals coach. Bugel lasted one season in Oakland.
Turner was head coach of the Washington Redskins between 1994 and 2000, making the playoffs only once. He went 49-59-1 with the Redskins, his only NFL head coaching experience. The Dolphins' offensive coordinator for the last two season, he also has been offensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys and San Diego Chargers.
Turner began his NFL coaching career as an assistant with the Los Angeles Rams in 1985, and he was on Dallas' coaching staff from 1991-93, when the Cowboys won two straight Super Bowls.
Turner, however, is well regarded for his expertise on the offensive side of the ball and Davis typically prefers offensive-oriented coaches.
Turner grew up in California, and friends have said he wanted to return there, which likely played into his decision to accept the job. Also, there is speculation that Wannstedt's job might be on the line in 2004, and that his staff may come under scrutiny as well.
Oakland, plagued by injuries this season, posted its worst record since also going 4-12 in 1997. The Raiders tied with three other teams for fewest wins in the league in the biggest collapse by a team that reached the Super Bowl the previous year.
Oakland's defense of its AFC championship was a disaster almost from the first exhibition game, with injuries to more than a dozen key players and a near-mutiny against Callahan. Cornerback Charles Woodson openly criticized the coach, and MVP quarterback Rich Gannon later said a major housecleaning was necessary.
Davis provided one, firing Callahan and later criticizing the coach's handling of discipline matters. Bruce Allen, the Raiders' top personnel man under Davis, also left voluntarily to become general manager in Tampa Bay.
Turner will face many big decisions, including the status of Woodson, a four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Woodson, Gannon, a 38-year-old quarterback, 41-year-old receiver Jerry Rice and 37-year-old receiver Tim Brown. Gannon is coming off shoulder surgery.
"Make no mistake about it, 2003 was a year of defeat, and we intend to go through that mountain even though those rocks are coming down and bring this wagon through again. And we'll be there again," Davis said last week.
The departure of Turner likely means that Wannstedt will elevate running backs coach Joel Collier, who had been given more responsibilities last season, to replace Turner.
Information from ESPN.com senior NFL writer Len Pasquarelli and The Associated Press was used in this report.
ESPN.com news services
ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Norv Turner was hired as the Oakland Raiders' head coach Monday, taking over a team that went from the Super Bowl to 4-12 in just a year.
Turner, 51, will receive a multi-year contract, SI.com is reporting, though terms were not immediately available. The Raiders have called a 5 p.m. ET news conference to introduce him as the 14th head coach in a franchise lineage that includes John Madden, two-time Super Bowl winner Tom Flores and owner Al Davis, who coached the team from 1963-65.
Turner leaves Miami after only two seasons as coach Dave Wannstedt's offensive coordinator. Turner flew to Oakland on Thursday to meet with Raiders owner Al Davis and their discussions continued through the weekend. Contrary to published reports, Turner did not return home; he remained in California awaiting an offer from Davis.
In hiring Turner, the Raiders concluded a lengthy and sometimes convoluted search for a successor to Bill Callahan. Just last Tuesday, Dallas Cowboys assistant head coach Sean Payton agreed in principle to be Oakland's head coach, and then changed his mind a day later.
Callahan has since been hired as Nebraska's head coach.
Davis interviewed Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Al Saunders by phone early in the search process. He then met with Dennis Green, who accepted the same job with the Arizona Cardinals; San Francisco offensive coordinator Greg Knapp, who went to the Atlanta Falcons in the same capacity; and Payton. Another potential candidate, Steelers offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey, turned down an interview request, and then was hired as Buffalo Bills coach.
It was generally believed, after the deal with Payton collapsed, that Davis would wait until after Super Bowl XXXVIII to interview the New England's two coordinators, Romeo Crennel (defense) and Charlie Weis (offense). But his meetings with Turner went well and Turner apparently agreed to accept some of the conditions that Davis had laid out for other candidates.
Davis said at a news conference last week that he will take a more personal hand in player discipline. Davis also wanted the other candidates to retain many of Callahan's assistants who are still under contract.
This marks only the second time that Davis has hired a coach with previous NFL head coaching experience. The only other time was in 1997, when he brought aboard Joe Bugel, the former Arizona Cardinals coach. Bugel lasted one season in Oakland.
Turner was head coach of the Washington Redskins between 1994 and 2000, making the playoffs only once. He went 49-59-1 with the Redskins, his only NFL head coaching experience. The Dolphins' offensive coordinator for the last two season, he also has been offensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys and San Diego Chargers.
Turner began his NFL coaching career as an assistant with the Los Angeles Rams in 1985, and he was on Dallas' coaching staff from 1991-93, when the Cowboys won two straight Super Bowls.
Turner, however, is well regarded for his expertise on the offensive side of the ball and Davis typically prefers offensive-oriented coaches.
Turner grew up in California, and friends have said he wanted to return there, which likely played into his decision to accept the job. Also, there is speculation that Wannstedt's job might be on the line in 2004, and that his staff may come under scrutiny as well.
Oakland, plagued by injuries this season, posted its worst record since also going 4-12 in 1997. The Raiders tied with three other teams for fewest wins in the league in the biggest collapse by a team that reached the Super Bowl the previous year.
Oakland's defense of its AFC championship was a disaster almost from the first exhibition game, with injuries to more than a dozen key players and a near-mutiny against Callahan. Cornerback Charles Woodson openly criticized the coach, and MVP quarterback Rich Gannon later said a major housecleaning was necessary.
Davis provided one, firing Callahan and later criticizing the coach's handling of discipline matters. Bruce Allen, the Raiders' top personnel man under Davis, also left voluntarily to become general manager in Tampa Bay.
Turner will face many big decisions, including the status of Woodson, a four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Woodson, Gannon, a 38-year-old quarterback, 41-year-old receiver Jerry Rice and 37-year-old receiver Tim Brown. Gannon is coming off shoulder surgery.
"Make no mistake about it, 2003 was a year of defeat, and we intend to go through that mountain even though those rocks are coming down and bring this wagon through again. And we'll be there again," Davis said last week.
The departure of Turner likely means that Wannstedt will elevate running backs coach Joel Collier, who had been given more responsibilities last season, to replace Turner.
Information from ESPN.com senior NFL writer Len Pasquarelli and The Associated Press was used in this report.
